Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project

Project Overview

The Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project is a pilot safety enhancement project on Folsom Street between 4th and 11th streets.

This proposed pilot project will increase bicycle and pedestrian safety and comfort by creating a buffered bicycle lane and reducing pedestrian crossing distances. These enhancements will be made possible by a lane reduction from four travel lanes to three.

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Project Details

OVERVIEW AND goals

The Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project is a pilot safety enhancement project on Folsom Street between 4th and 11th streets.

This proposed pilot project will increase bicycle and pedestrian safety and comfort by creating a buffered bicycle lane and reducing pedestrian crossing distances.

measures

Lane reduction from four travel lanes to three

Installation of a buffered bicycle lane

Green pavement will be used in some sections: approaching intersections to highlight the bicycle lane at a point of potential conflict, and at the beginning of intersections to minimize the number of motorists driving in the bike lane

HISTORY

The dynamic changes occurring in SoMa have created the need for better local mobility and safer streets for all modes of travel. New housing and business development, and the resulting change in the character of the area, have added more pedestrians and bicyclists to SoMa streets that experience the highest number of traffic collisions in San Francisco. The transition from light industrial and single residence housing units to more families and businesses has also added more pedestrians to SoMa streets.

As a connection between the Mission District and the City’s Financial District and Waterfront, Folsom Street is a key connection for both non-motorized and motorized traffic. Since 2006, bicycling in SoMa has increased 98 percent, and in 2013, Folsom Street is the sixth most heavily traveled bicycle route in San Francisco. The Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project will inform future plans for the street while implementing much needed safety and mobility improvements in the interim. This pilot project will also allow the City to study how this type of street conversion can be implemented in areas undergoing rapid growth or change to create safer and better functioning streets for all users.

With anticipated implementation by the end of 2013, the Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project will allow the SFMTA to measure the change in travel volumes along the corridor, diversion of traffic, and right turns on adjacent parallel and cross streets. This pilot project will also help inform the Central Corridor Neighborhood Project Environmental Impact Report which is planned to be completed June 2015.

IMPACT

The Folsom Complete Street Pilot Project is not expected to have an impact on vehicle parking.

Preliminary analysis also shows that there will be no significant delay to motorists on Folsom Street or in the area due to the pilot project.